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Focus on NGOs: 34 Disaster Relief Organizations

10/10/16

In this next episode of our Focus on series, we provide a list of 34 organizations that provide disaster relief. This list has been compiled to offer an insight into the efforts made by these organizations. They dedicate all their energy to making the world a better place and helping those in need after a disaster strikes an uncommon region somewhere in the world.

Why we need disaster relief

According to the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED), 337 catastrophes related to natural hazards were reported worldwide in 2014. They affected 94 countries. While this might seem like an enormous amount, the number of natural catastrophes was the lowest of the decade. Floods are the most frequent, followed by earthquakes and then storms. These events call for a massive coordinated reaction within a very short notice because of their sudden occurrence and destructive nature. Humanitarian organizations are amongst the frontrunners of helping disaster-struck regions, often together with and sometimes next to local governments and the military.

Listed below are 34 organizations which are doing an excellent job in providing disaster relief. This list is not exhaustive. But it, to a large extent, underlines how greatly help is needed all over the globe. Fortunately, natural disasters are a significant issue, and important strides are being made every year; whether it’s improving forecasting of natural calamities or faster response after disaster strikes.

We are putting a great emphasis on the fact that this list is incomplete. Please note that we recognize the importance of the work done by any other NGO that is not mentioned herein. Should you have in mind a global organization that should be added to this list, please let us know via Twitter.

Mennonite Central CommitteeMCC is a global, non-profit organization that strives to share God’s love and compassion for all through relief, development and peace. When responding to disasters, they work with local groups to distribute resources in ways that minimize conflict.

Direct Relief International Direct Relief is a humanitarian aid organization. It’s active in all 50 states and 70 countries and has a mission to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergencies.

International Red CrossFrom small house fires to multi-state natural disasters, the American Red Cross goes wherever they’re needed, so people can have clean water, safe shelter and hot meals when they need them most.

Brethren Disaster MinistriesOne of BDM's primary fields of work is engaging in a network of volunteers to repair or rebuild damaged homes for disaster survivors who cannot recover on their own.

The Nazarene Disaster Response Their vision is that Nazarenes would be empowered to respond in practical and tangible ways to their community in case of any instance of a disaster.

REACT International They will provide public safety communications to individuals, organizations, and government agencies to save lives, prevent injuries, and give assistance wherever and whenever needed.

All Hands All Hands is the world’s leading disaster relief organization powered by volunteers. Over the last ten years, they have enabled over 35,000 volunteers to donate 175,000 days impacting 500,000 people all over the globe.

CityTeam International Disaster ResponseCityteam is a Christian nonprofit organization that’s compassionately serving the poor, the homeless, and the lost in San Jose, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Oakland, Portland, and other parts of the world.

OXFAMOxfam is an international confederation of 18 NGOs working with partners in over 90 countries. They help those who need it most after natural disasters strike their homes.

Billy Graham Rapid Response Team The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (RRT) trains God’s people for grief ministry. It also deploys crisis-trained chaplains to provide emotional and spiritual care to those affected by man-made or natural disasters.

ADRA ADRA Canada, part of a world-wide ADRA network, has been working to end extreme poverty in some of the poorest communities of our world for three decades.

THE LIST CONTINUES

Hope WorldwideHOPE worldwide is an international charity that changes lives by harnessing the compassion and commitment of dedicated staff and volunteers to deliver sustainable, high-impact, community-based services to the poor and needy.

NECHAMA NECHAMA is a voluntary organization that provides natural disaster preparedness, response, and recovery services nationwide. Through the years, they have brought comfort to disaster survivors by training and mobilizing thousands of volunteers to help communities in the aftermath of floods, tornadoes, and other natural disasters.

United Methodist Committee on ReliefThe United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is a non-profit organization dedicated to alleviating human suffering around the globe. UMCOR work includes programs and projects in disaster response, health, sustainable agriculture, food security, relief supplies, and much more.

Plan India Plan India, a member of Plan International Federation, is a nationally registered independent child development organization committed to creating a lasting impact in the lives of vulnerable and excluded children, their families, and communities.

Save The Children 2015 presented the world with unprecedented challenges. Thanks to their incredible generosity, Save the Children responded to 99 humanitarian crises in 59 countries, directly reaching 13.8 million people, including 7.1 million children.

CARE CARE International is a global confederation of 14 member organizations working together to end poverty caused by conflict and natural disaster.

AmeriCares AmeriCares saves lives and improves health for people affected by poverty or disaster so that they can reach their full potential.

GlobalGivingGlobalGiving is the first and largest global crowdfunding community for nonprofits. Since 2002, GlobalGiving has raised $230,218,366 from 536,778 donors who have supported 14,942 projects.

International Relief TeamsInternational Relief Teams (IRT) is a top-rated non-profit humanitarian organization dedicated to alleviating human suffering worldwide and in the United States. IRT specializes in two complementary sets of activities: disaster response and building healthy communities.

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation They work with partner organizations worldwide to tackle critical problems in four program areas. Their Global Development Division for instance works to help the world’s poorest people lift themselves out of hunger and poverty which is often caused by natural disaster.

ICCO ICCO is the interchurch organization for development cooperation. They work towards a world in which people can live in dignity and well-being; a world free from poverty and injustice.

Relief International Relief International is a non-profit organization whose sole mission is to reduce human suffering. They respond to natural disasters, humanitarian emergencies, and chronic poverty. They are non-sectarian and non-political.

WHOThe World Health Organization (WHO) helps protect those displaced by natural and man-made disasters from the ravages of disease.

Mission Aviation FellowshipYou'll find MAF in the hardest-to-reach locations, where people live isolated from the rest of the world, cut off from the most basic necessities. Their highly trained pilots maneuver Cessna and KODIAK aircraft through rugged terrain.

World Vision They’re continuously building relationships. By planning and working alongside local leaders, they’re finding solutions to change the future for kids and the next generation.

Amref They are committed to improving the health of people in Africa by partnering with and empowering communities, and strengthening health systems.

ShelterBox By providing emergency shelter and tools for families robbed of their homes by disaster, they’re transforming despair into hope.

Medical Teams International They provide medical and dental care, humanitarian aid, and holistic development programs to all people in need, regardless of religion, nationality, sex, or race.

Humanitarian Coalition The Humanitarian Coalition strives to maximize Canadian fundraising efforts in support of members’ assistance programs for the survivors of international humanitarian disasters. By working together, the members seek to increase the awareness of needs, reduce the duplication of costs and take the guesswork out of giving for Canadians.

GlobalMedic They quickly respons to disasters with a Rescue Unit, Water Purification Unit and Emergency Medical Unit. Helping those who need it most.

Engineers Without Borders A non-profit humanitarian organization established to partner with developing communities worldwide in order to improve their quality of life.

READ MORE

We believe our world is a better place when compassion can travel where it is needed most.There are countless projects that NGOs are selflessly involved in, and we hope with all our hearts that each and every one succeeds. Please follow our blog for more stories and travel information. Do you have in mind another organization that provides disaster relief services? Should we add it to the list? Feel free to contact us via Twitter.